AMES, Iowa- The Iowa State cross country team will be suiting up Saturday for the Roy Griak Invitational. The meet will begin at 11 a.m in Minneapolis, Minn. Iowa State's sophomore Rico Loy will be one of the ISU men running, and he's prepared for his first race of the season.
“I plan on doing well this Saturday,” said Loy. “I hope that we (as a team) have a good start.”
The German native had always thought about coming to the United States.
“I heard about Iowa State through a friend,” Loy said. “I heard that Iowa State had a good cross country and track and field team, so I wanted to find out for myself.”
Loy had an up and down season at ISU during the 2008-09 campaign. Running unattached last season, Loy finished second in the 1,500-meter run (4:02.63) at the Kip Janvrin Open. He placed 21st out of 100 competitors at the Big 12 Cross Country championships (25:05). At the 2008 Roy Griak Invitational, Loy finished 19th out of 229 participants (24:53). Loy then suffered an injury which hampered his season.
“Loy had a tough year,” Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels said. “Due to his injury, he wasn't able to compete in several indoor and outdoor track meets. This summer he has gotten better, and he has built his strength back. Now that he's healthy, I believe this year he is ready, and he'll have a good season.”
Although that injury in his first Cyclone year was a hindrance, Loy knows what he brings to Iowa State this season. He is ready to get back on the track and show his teammates his ability.
“Last year I thought I had a pretty good start in the season,” Loy said. “I was happy with my performance at the Roy Griak meet last year. At the end of the season I got hurt, which kind of set me back. So far my training has improved and I have been running more miles this year. My goal for this season is to place high at the NCAA meets.”
The 2009-10 Cyclone cross country season began with a strong running start. The Iowa State men's cross country team is ranked 25th in the country in the pre-season coaches rankings. Last week the ISU men and women finished first and second, respectively, at the 2009 Iowa Intercollegiate. Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels is ready for the pressure to keep climbing the national ladder.
“So far, we haven't seen our top group yet, and this Saturday we'll get a chance to see the full team,” said Ihmels. “We've had good training thus far, and will continue to do so.”
Loy hopes to have an injury-free outcome this season. In the classroom, Loy is continuing to stay on top of his studies. The mechanical engineering major is still undecided on a career path after college.
For the present, he knows what he can be at Iowa State.
